System for accessing end-to-end broadband network via network access server platform

ABSTRACT

A system is described for providing personalized network access and services in a distributed end-to-end broadband transport network having a telecommunication device used by a user having a unique personal identifier, a premises-based broadband access agent (BAA), the BAA connected to and in communication with the telecommunication device, a switch specific to an underlying transport medium, the switch connected to and in communication with the distributed end-to-end broadband transport network, a network access server platform (NASP), the NASP connected to and in communication with the BAA and the switch, the NASP provides personalized network access and services on demand and a call connection agent (CCA) to complete a call placed by the user to a terminating user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/163,500 entitled “Providing Mobility in a Distributed End-to-EndPacket/Cell/Frame Network”, by Albert Chow et al., which was filed onJun. 7, 2002, now abandoned, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,102 entitled“Broadband Telecommunication Service with Personalized ServiceCapability for Mobile Terminals”, by Albert Chow, which was filed onJun. 7, 2002, and which issued on Feb. 24, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field oftelecommunications and specifically to a personalized system and methodfor accessing a broadband network via a network access server platform(NASP).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Telecommunications have evolved from plain old telephone service (POTS)using a conventional wired line telephone and keypad. Circuit switchedtelecommunications have evolved from circuit-switched to end-to-endbroadband packet/cell/frame networks. This evolution has enabled newservices and new means of communication. In a true end-to-end broadbandpacket/cell/frame network environment, the use of traditionalcircuit-switch facilitated dial tone and numbering scheme (i.e.,Directory Number (DN), E.164) as a method for establishing a link tosomeone is no longer applicable. User/customers/subscribers now expecteasier telecommunications access as well as substantially more services.Users will have voice prompted greetings from an access network basedsystem/service after a telephone/telecommunication device goes“off-hook”, where users will utilize unique personal identifierscomparable to the email address format (e.g., anyone@provider.com).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applicable to current and future subscribersand integrates a service provider's residential and business servicesand a service provider's broadband transport network to providepersonalized end-to-end packet/cell/frame based services.

The system and method described herein provides enhanced end-to-endpacket telephony and conventional telecommunication services withdistributed end-to-end packet network environments. Since the broadbandtransport methodology is irrelevant to the overall NASP serviceconcepts, the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) with cell basedtransport, frame relay network and all transport methodology from theresident, business and small office/home office (SOHO) environments areall examples of underlying transport technologies and should beconsidered as exemplary broadband transport networks.

The emerging broadband (i.e., up to T1+rate) access from thehome/business (via for example, cable/hybrid fiber coax (HFC) andgeneric digital subscriber line (xDSL)) environments facilitates avariety of new services including integrated packet voice, data, andmultimedia applications. These advanced multimedia services/applicationsrequire a sophisticated user-to-network interaction to fulfill andcommunicate all the service criteria, and the simplicity of theconventional telephone keypad cannot fulfill these needs. Newmulti-modal user interfaces, such as speech/voice recognition willenable the user/consumer to interact with the network in a morehuman/natural, and sophisticated manner.

Personalized network access to a broadband network is achieved throughthe use of a NASP, which is a network centric service element thatinterfaces between a network access entity (e.g., BAA), a contentservice provider and a service providers network. End users are enabledto access network services through procedures other than viaconventional telephone access methods such as a keypad, etc. The NASPcontrols many access procedures such as voice access, network signaling,integrating various generations of services and procedures and theintegration of various network technologies. Examples of personalizednetwork access include a voice greeting to a user after atelephone/telecommunication device goes “off-hook”, asking what servicethe user needs, adding/modifying/removing and generally maintaining apersonal address book for the user's contacts, maintaining varioususer-specific databases such as preferred calling plans, placing callsto contacts maintained in the user's personal address book, forwardingcalls, screening calls and locating the most inexpensive calling planfor placing a call. All interactions with the network are via voicecommunications.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to providepersonalized network access to an end-to-end broadband packet/cell/framenetwork using the Network Access Server Platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best described with reference to the detaileddescription and the following figures, where:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an end-to-end broadband networkincluding the NASP of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an end-to-end broadband networkincluding the NASP of the present invention and including an example ofthe services and features provided by the NASP.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The Network Access Server Platform (NASP) is a network centric serviceelement that provides interworking functions between a network accessentity(s), a content services provider(s) and a service provider'sbroadband packet/cell/frame network to facilitate services andapplications. The NASP provides end users, in either residential, smalloffice/home office (SOHO), business and public environments, the meansto access the network centric services, the procedures that locate anddeliver services, and the methodologies that allows the introduction ofadvanced services in a distributed intelligent manner by a serviceprovider. Subscribers can customize their telecommunication needs, suchas service and feature selections, maintenance of personal address booksand directories, profiles and databases, and service preferences, etc.simply by programming the NASP anywhere and anytime. The NASP assiststhe subscriber in accessing telecommunication services via a serviceprovider's broadband packet/cell/frame network and it replaces theconventional dial tone and telephone keypad, with technologies such asspeech coding, interactive voice, voice recognition and text-to-speechconversion. When the user wishes to request a telecommunication service,he/she picks up the telephone/telecommunications device, or turns on alaptop/PC, or initiates the NASP application. The user will interactwith the NASP instantaneously/directly via the premises-based BroadbandAccess Agent (BAA) to fulfill, initiate and terminate the servicerequests in a multi-session and multi-application scenarios. The NASP,based on the behavior of the user, interacts with the service provider'sbroadband packet/cell/frame network and the BAA to deliver networkcentric or content service provider's services to the end-users.

Each user can program the NASP via a web-based service managementdialogue or through an interactive voice session supported by the NASPvia BAA, and the NASP provides personalized services to the user ondemand. In an exemplary embodiment, the NASP can be programmed via aweb-based dialogue box or pull-down manual after the user logs onto theservice (i.e., turn on the laptop, PDA etc.). The dialogue box orpull-down manual can be installed as a part of service initializationprocess, for instance from a CD issued by the service provider to thebroadband service user/subscriber. In turn, the user will install thedialogue software onto their choice of communications devices includingstationary PC, laptop, PDA etc. The pull-down manual/dialogue will allowthe user/subscriber to program their service preferences and personalprofile, which will, in turn, be transmitted to the NASP via the BAA.NASP also eliminates the necessity of consumers programming each oftheir communication devices with their preferences.

For a service provider, the NASP provides network access controlfunctions and acts as a broker-agent to provide the bridge that links aservice provider broadband packet/cell/frame network and its networkcentric services to the end user. In addition, the NASP supports networkrelated security management including services such as the subscriberauthentication, services authorization; call session control; billingand accounting; subscriber identity related naming and directoryservices; and mobility management (e.g., terminal, session, personal,service, and number portability) for the end-users. For example, a usermay carry their telecomminication device to another location and connectto a telecommunication jack at the new location. Once connected to thetelecommunication jack powering the telecommunication device on the BAAat the new location will recognize the telecommunication device andsignal the NASP accordingly to retrieve the personalized databases andprovide the user with their personalized services. For networksimplicity and distribution of network intelligence, the NASP partitionsservices from network control/transport and in turn reduces deploymentcosts effectively. Furthermore, the distributed network intelligencethat NASP promotes flexible and efficient network centric servicecreation, services upgrades, and optimally provides best quality ofservice (QoS) to the users.

In an exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a distributednetwork centric network where a user operating from a business, home orSOHO 105 is connected to a premises-based BAA 110. The BAA 110 providesthe intelligence and forms a part of the service provider's mediaspecific equipment at the customer site. In an exemplary embodiment, theBAA 110 would form a part of a cable or xDSL modem provided to a user bythe service provider. BAA 110 is connected to a switch 120 via any oneof a number of underlying network control/transport technologies.Depicted in FIG. 1 is xDSL 115 using an IP DSL switch 120. Theunderlying network control/transport services may be provided by ATM,HFC, etc. using a corresponding compatible switch. Switch 120 (which maybe, for example, an IP DSL switch) is connected to NASP 125 which actsas an agent/broker for services and features requested and subscribed toby a user. Switch 120 is a soft switch, which, for example, is using anxDSL media and separates voice from data. NASP 125 interworks withbroadband transport network 130. NASP 125 interworks with BAA 110 toestablish the call with a previous caller designated network CallConnection Agent (CCA) 135 to complete the call via broadband transportnetwork 130. The CCA 135 is responsible for authentication,authorization and accounting and may be integrated with the NASP 125.The NASP is connected to the user via the premises based BAA, a switchand the broadband transport network via the internet. The NASP is like a5ESS switch but is packet switched rather than circuit switched and isintended to provide similar but enhanced services as will be describedherein. The NASP functions above the network control/transport layer andprovides the personalized services described herein via an interface tothe broadband transport network. The NASP provides services users arealready familiar with and want such as call forwarding, calleridentification etc. Multiple content service providers (CSPs) (notshown) are also connected to and in communication with the distributedend-to-end broadband transport network and provide personalized servicesto a user via the NASP 125.

Examples of the NASP Usage

-   -   1. John picks telephone (e.g., POTS, ISDN, and Internet        telephony protocol) or turns on his laptop/PDA etc.    -   2. John's BAA 110 initiates signaling communication to John's        designated NASP 125, which sends a voice greeting to John;        “AT&T, John, may I help you?’    -   3. John voices his request to his designated NASP 125 to call        his friend Mary and John's designated NASP 125 responds with        “Thank you and please wait”.    -   4. John's designated NASP 125 will retrieve Mary's destination        address from John's personal directory database (e.g., John's        address book) maintained by John's designated NASP 125. Mary's        destination address may be in the form of mary@att.com, or        5551212@verizon.com. John's designated NASP 125 places a call to        Mary.    -   5. John's designated NASP 125 will interwork with John's BAA 110        to establish the call with a previous caller designated network        Call Connection Agent 130 to complete the call to Mary. John        instructs NASP to forward all calls from Mary to his wireless        telephone.    -   6. Mary's NASP 125 will interwork with Mary's BAA 110 to decide        how to terminate the incoming call, for instance:        -   a. Switch call to voicemail        -   b. Route call to Mary's remote location        -   c. Answers the call etc.    -   7. Upon call termination, both NASPs 125 generate call detail        records and send copies to the CCA 135 and/or a designated        billing center/clearinghouse.

Additionally, the following are also possible instructions John may givehis designated NASP 125. John instructs his designated NASP 125 toadd/remove entries from his address book. John instructs his designatedNASP 125 to place an international call using the most inexpensivecalling plan that is currently offered by the service providers. John'sdesignated NASP 125 will screen all incoming calls to check dispositionstatus based on John's instructions, e.g., complete the call, forwardthe call to voicemail, or reject the call.

The key features of the NASP of the present invention are to provide adistributed network centric service architecture within a broadbandpacket/cell/frame network; to provide the procedures and methods tomanage mobility for terminal, personal, session and services andnumbering; to provide the signaling and messages necessary for servicesbetween the NASP and the user end-equipment (e.g., telephone, laptop,PDA etc.); to provide the signaling and messages necessary for servicesbetween a service provider network and the NASP; to support the servicesand call features among the NASP, user end equipment, and the serviceprovider network; to provide the procedures and methods to integrate2nd, 3^(rd), and 4th generation wireless access technologies andservices via the NASP; and to provide the procedures and methods thatintegrate wired broadband network access technologies including cable,XDSL etc. via the NASP.

It should be clear from the foregoing that the objectives of theinvention have been met. While particular embodiments of the presentinvention have been described and illustrated, it should be noted thatthe invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made bypersons skilled in the art. The present application contemplates any andall modifications within the spirit and scope of the underlyinginvention disclosed and claimed herein. Moreover, related applicationsU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/163,500, filed Jun. 7, 2002, nowabandoned, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,496,102, filed Jun. 7, 2002, and issuedon Feb. 24, 2009, are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

1. A system for providing personalized network access and services to atelecommunication device in a distributed end-to-end broadband transportnetwork comprising: a first broadband access agent (BAA) located at afirst location, the first BAA being connected to and in communicationwith the telecommunication device; a network access server platform(NASP), the NASP being connected to and in communication with the firstBAA, the NASP configured to provide, via an interactive voice sessionbetween the NASP and the telecommunication device, personalized networkaccess and services, in response to the telecommunication device beingtaken off-hook and further configured to provide mobility management forthe telecommunication device, the personalized network access andservices at least comprising selecting a least expensive calling plan toplace a communication; and a second BAA located at a second locationdifferent from the first location of the first BAA, the second BAAconfigured to connect to the telecommunication device and recognize thetelecommunication device and further configured to signal the NASP toprovide the personalized network access and services regarding thetelecommunication device, in response to the telecommunication devicebeing taken off-hook.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein theNASP interfaces with the telecommunication device at the second locationvia a multi-modal user interface.
 3. The system according to claim 1,wherein the NASP is further configured to interface with a contentservice provider to provide services to the telecommunication device atthe second location.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein theNASP is configured to integrate 2^(nd), 3^(rd) and 4^(th) generationwireless access technologies and services.
 5. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to integrate wired broadbandnetwork access technologies.
 6. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe NASP is configured to provide network access control functions. 7.The system according to claim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to actas a broker-agent between the telecommunication device at the secondlocation and the distributed end-to-end broadband transport network byproviding signaling and messaging between the NASP and thetelecommunication device via the second BAA.
 8. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to perform security management.9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the NASP is configured toperform call session control.
 10. The system according to claim 1,wherein the NASP is configured to perform billing and accountingfunctions.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the NASP isconfigured to perform user identity related naming and directoryservices.
 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the NASP isconfigured to support service creation and service upgrades.
 13. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to providesignaling and messaging between the NASP and the distributed end-to-endbroadband transport network.
 14. The system according to claim 1,wherein the NASP is configured to support services and call featuresamong the NASP, the telecommunication device and the distributedend-to-end broadband transport network.
 15. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to support the telecommunicationdevice in a customization of telecommunication requirements bysupporting service and feature selection.
 16. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to support the telecommunicationdevice in a customization of telecommunication requirements bymaintaining personal databases including address books, directories,profiles and service preferences associated with the telecommunicationdevice.
 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the NASP isconfigured to support interaction with the telecommunication device viathe second BAA to initiate, fulfill and terminate service requests inmulti-session and multi-application scenarios.
 18. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the NASP is configured to be programmed via one of aweb-based service management dialogue and an interactive voice session.19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mobility managementfurther comprises at least one of: terminal mobility; session mobility;personal mobility; service mobility; or number portability.
 20. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the telecommunication deviceincludes a laptop, a personal data assistant (PDA), and a telephone.